I could cover Vancouver every day if I could. This city just has much to offer. False Creek, Granville Island, the Grouse Grind…and the list goes on. Here are some more things to do if you have never been to Vancouver, or if you are a local trying to have fun. The best part is that many of these are affordable or even free to visit.
Granville Island – It is not an actual island as the name might suggest. IT is one of the most visited sites in Vancouver. The feel of this area is like no other in Vancouver. Here you have a bit of everything. You still get to experience the city vibes, but at the same time, things are eclectic. Granville Island has a strong art community. It is home to many local art galleries (and shops) which you can visit for free.
Granville Island Public Market: The local market is one of the biggest attractions. It is free to enter and wander around. The market has a mix of boutiques, old fashioned toy stores, grocer stalls with fresh fruits and veggies, butchers, fresh fish, and even many famous eateries. You can spend hours just exploring the market alone. Grab a coffee at any of the coffee spots here or check out Siegal’s Bagels. Siegal’s has the best bagels in all of Vancouver in my opinion. It’s also budget friendly, in case you don’t feel like breaking an arm and a leg on food.
Granville Island is well known for its buskers. Free shows are put on daily, usually every few hours, at the front of the market, or just around the corner near the Aquabus Ferries. These buskers put their heart and soul into entertaining you. All sorts of talents are on display: singing, acrobatics, magic, juggling, and more. Though these shows are free, it is encouraged to tip the buskers if you feel like it. Even a simple follow on their social media is a fair way to show your support.
Granville Island is bordered by the False Creek. This is a narrow inlet, that separates downtown Vancouver from the West End. Due to the proximity of the water, you get a beachy, ocean feeling here. There are many water activities that can be done here: paddle boarding, kayaking, boat rides, and of course, taking a tour of the False Creek on the Aquabus Ferries. These local boats will taxi you across False Creek, from Granville Island to Science World, or a round trip! It’s a fun ride, costing between $4.50 to $10 depending on where you are going.
Granville Island has a lot of theatres, theatre clubs – basically many events take place here. There is always something happening. If you are a fan of comedy and want to support the local arts, check out the Improv Centre. It is a riot, especially during the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Tickets are decently priced (typically around $20-$30, sometimes cheaper depending on the show), so a night out on budget can be attained. There are other theatres as well in the area, so feel free to check those out!
There are many restaurants, bars and cafes in the area! You can grab a bite at the market, if you prefer to stay on the more budget friendly side, or you can hit up some of the more unique fish and chips spots in Granville Island, such as Celine’s Fish and Chips, located in the Public Market. Prices here are spot on, with huge portions. It is a must try while visiting Granville Island. Btw, beware of Seagulls, haha!
If you have little ones, Granville Island has many activities for the kids. The Granville Island water park is free to visit and will keep your children busy for a few hours. It’s a nice way to cool off on a hot day. Circuit Circus is located in the Kid’s Market, on the second floor. It is an old school arcade, which is perfect for kids and parents to bond over and have fun. In the Kid’s Market, there are many unique shops – magic shops, puppet stores, old fashioned toy stores, and more. It is such a fun market to check out and offers for fun souvenirs that will be remembered for years to come.